Amusement apparatus



Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. MCMAHON ET AL 2,180,639

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3. 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS JOHN H. M.NAHON ARTHUR W. MILLER 31 E l 2 A TTORNEY Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. MUMAHON ET AL 2.180,639

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVE/VTORS JOHN H. M MAHON B ARTHUR FULLER Glam/V7 A TTORNI: Y

Nov. 21, 1939.

J. H. M MAHON ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1938 :E'IE -5 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS JOHN H. MQMAHON ARTHUR W. MILLER A TTORNE Y Nov. 21, 939- J. H. MCMAHON ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1958 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS N H. MQMAHON UR W. MILLER .4 TTORNEY Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. McMAHON ET AL 2.180539 AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 i: &

IN VENTOR5 JOHN H. M MAHON ARTHU W. MILLER- BY Q A TTORNE Y Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. MCMAHON ET AL AMUSEMENT APPARATU S 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 3, 1958 AHPUFIER :E'IELS INVENTORS JOHN HJ'IQMAHON BY ARTHUR w. MLLEQ A TTORNE Y NOV. 21, 1939. J. H. M MAHON ET AL 2.180,639

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 3, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 LE'IE 1D /NVENTOR$ JOHN H. M? MAHON A TTORNE Y Nov. 21, 1939. J. H. McMAHQN ET AL 2.180,639

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1938 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 AMPLIFIER IN VENTORS JOHN H. M: MAHON ARTHUR W. FULLER.

BY am, sm

A TTORNEY Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES AMUSEMENT APPARATUS John H. McMahon and Arthur W. Miller,

Berkeley, Calif.

Application January 3,

9 Claims.

This invention relates to automatic coin-operated devices used for public amusement and is an improvement over the structure disclosed in our prior application, Serial No. 171,236, filed October 27, 1937.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which will automatically select, display and reproduce a visible animated picture and sound related to the characters of the picture.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character described, a plurality of mechanisms for reproducing the visual records, and means common to each of the mechanisms for reproducing the sound records and for projecting the pictures.

A further object of the invention is to provide simplified apparatus of the class referred to which includes, Without crowding, a maximum number of reproducing mechanisms.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, together with the foregoing, will be specifically set forth in the detailed description of the preferred form of the invention hereunto annexed. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular species thereof shown and described as various other embodiments thereof may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the cabinet housing the amusement device of our invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the device. The plane cf section is indicated by the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view, partly in section, of the projector turret and its associated mechanism. The view is taken along the line and in the direction of the arrows 3-3 of'Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of the projector turret. The view is taken looking in the direction of the arrow 4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the turret mechanism along the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmental end elevational view of the turret. The view is taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the projectors and associated parts,

Figure 8 is a view, partly diagrammatic and m 1 s 1938, Serial No. 183,110 (01. 88-162) partly in horizontal section, showing the sound translating mechanism.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 7.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view of one of 6 the turret control relays.

Figure 11 is an end elevational view, with the protective cover removed, of the structure shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a fragmental vertical sectional view of the apparatus showing, in its closed position, the limit switch which controls the cycles of movement of the picture film.

Figure 13 is a view, similar to Figure 12, showing the limit switch in its open position.

Figure 14 is a front elevational view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 13. The view is taken along the line l4-l4 of the latter figure.

Figure 15 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the connections between the various electrical components of the apparatus.

Describing the invention in detail, the apparatus comprises a cabinet l6 having side walls IT, a top IS, a bottom floor 9, and a front panei'26 consisting of a lower perpendicular portion 2| and a rearwardly inclined upper portion 22. On the inner surface of the lower panel portion 22, overlying an aperture 23 therein, is mounted a sound reproducer such as the dynamic speaker 24. The usual cloth screen 26 covers the aperture 23 so as to prevent the entrance, into the magnetic gap of the speaker, of dust or other particles of foreign matter. In a large rectangular aperture 21, provided in the upper portion 22 of the panel, is mounted a picture projection screen 28 which may either be composed of the particular type of fabric commonly used for exhibiting daylight movies overlaid by a sheet of transparent glass or which may be the sheet of glass above the latter having one surface thereof frosted. The usual coin-operated program selector 29 having a coin chute 3|, a plurality of push buttons 32 by means of which various sound and visual records may be selected, and card holders 33 which contain the title and other information relative to the records, are mounted on the panel intermediate the speaker aperture and the picture screen.

Mounted on a base plate 34, which is secured to the floor H! by bolts 36, is a pair of spaced vertically disposed brackets 31 and 38, each having at their upper ends mounting pads and 4|, and at points intermediate their ends with hubs 42 and 43 each of the latter being axially tent drive sprocket 6i,

bored to rotatably receive the ends of the turret shaft 44. Fixed to and rotatable with the shaft 44 is a cylindrical turret 46 having at one end thereof a plurality, preferably eight, of mounting pads 41 to each of which is attached, by mounting bolts 48, the motion picture projecting unit generally indicated by the reference numeral 49, each of said units includes a film carrier, a film actuating motor and a projector.

Each of the projecting units 49, as is shown in Figure '7, comprises a casing 5| having in the upper portion thereof a cylindrical magazine 52 in which is supported, by a plurality of rollers 53, a roll of motion picture film 54 of the variety having thereon, as is shown in Figures 8 and 14, a sound track 56 related to the pictorial subject matter of the film. The opposite ends of the film are spliced together to provide an endless loop which is threaded, from the inner convolution of the roll 54, over a guide roller 51, the upper feed sprocket 58, through the film gate 59, past and in engagement with the intermitover the lower feed sprocket 62, over the idler sprocket 63, over a take-up sprocket 64 which maintains the film in close engagement with the periphery of the idler sprocket 63, over guide rollers 66, and onto the outside of the roll 54 over a guide roller 67. Each of the sprockets 58, BI, 82 and 64 are connected, by suitable means such as the chain 68, to be driven by a motor 69. In the front and rear walls of the casing 5I are provided ports 'II through which a beam of light from a lamp house I2 which is mounted on the pad 39 may pass and a lens I3 projects the light beam onto the surface of the screen 28. In the lower portion of the front wall of the casing 5I is a pair of spaced horizontally alined apertures I4 one of which is in axial alinement with the sound track of the filni passing over the idler roller 63. On the pad M at the upper end of the bracket 38 is a casing having therein a pair of chambers I6 and II, the former of which contains an exciter lamp I8 which may be energized either by direct current or by high frequency alternating current from the amplifier I9 through leads 8|, and the other of which contains a photoelectric cell- 82 connected with the input terminals 83 of the amplifier by leads 84. The exciter lamp I8 is positioned to project light rays along the path indicated by the arrows 85 through a condensing lens 86, through an aperture I4, through the sound track 56 of the film, onto the surface of a light reflecting member 81, which may be a mirror and which is positioned at an angle with respect to the path of the light rays, across toward another light reflecting mirror 88 and thence through the other aperture I4 into the chamber I6 and the photocell 82. A pulsating electric current is thus produced which is fed to the amplifier through the input leads 84. Each one of the projectors on the turret 46 is identical in structure with the one described above.

Means is provided for moving a selected one of the projectors into position to display the pictorial record of the film thereof on the screen and to reproduce the sound record of the film through the speaker 24. In the periphery of the turret 46, at the end thereof opposite to that upon which the projectors are mounted, teeth are provided which form a worm gear 89 with which meshes a worm 9I mounted for rotation with a shaft 92 which is journaled in bearings 93 carried by a bracket 94 secured to the bracket 31. A motor 96 mounted on an extension of the bracket 94 is connected through a coupling 91 with the shaft 92 to rotate the latter. Upon energization of the motor 96 the turret will be rotated so as to move each projector, in succession, past the lamp house I2 and the casing containing the exciter lamp I8 and the photo-cell 82.

Means is provided for positioning a selected one of the projectors in registry with the fixed lamp house, photo-cell and exciter lamp. Mlounted on each of the projector casings 5| is a solenoid switch, generally indicated by the numeral 98 in Figure 2 and shown in detail in Figures 10 and 11, comprising a sleeve 99 of insulating material in which an armature I 0| is axially slidable, a pin I02 secured in the sleeve being provided and Working in a keyway I03 in the armature to prevent rotation of the latter with respect to the sleeve. Wound on a portion of the sleeve 94 is an actuating coil I04 and around the coil is an iron shell I06 forming part of a ferro-magnetic circuit which also consists of an iron plate I01 secured by screws I08 to a flange I09 at one end of the shell I06 and a divided sleeve III, which is formed as an integral part of the shell at the opposite end of the latter, being positioned closely adjacent the armature and insulated therefrom by the sleeve 99. A preferably non-magnetic cap II2, also secured to the shell I06 by the screws I08, is provided with an aperture through which the armature is freely slidable and a spring II3, interposed between a portion of the cap and a collar II4 secured to the armature by a pin II6, serves to resiliently maintain the extreme end III of the armature in retracted position adjacent the cap II2. One end of the armature is bored out to frictionally receive and retain an insulating bushing II8 which is centrally bored and into which is passed the shank II9 of a switch blade I2I. This switch blade, when the armature IIII is moved axially, is adapted to enter between and engage spaced contacts I22 which are mounted on an insulating disk I23 secured to the shell I06. A cover I24 is adapted to frictionally telescope over the end of the shell so as to protect the switch against dirt and damage, and feet I26 are provided on the shell having therein screw holes I21 which receive suitable screws for mounting the device on the projector casing 5I. It will be seen that when the coil I04 is energized the armature IOI will be moved to the left, as

viewed in Figure 10, being impelled by the flux in the magnetic circuit which will close the switch I2I-I22 against the tension of the spring H3 and retain the switch in its closed position until, upon deenergization of the coil I04, the spring forces return of the switch to its open position.

Referring now to the wiring diagram of Figure 15, a pair of power supply leads I28 and I29 are provided which may be connected to a suitable source of alternating current. The former of these leads is connected by a branch lead I3I with the primary winding I32 of a step-down transformer I33, which supplies low voltage current for the control circuits to be described presently, by a branch lead I34 with the motor 96, by a branch lead I36 with the winding I3'I of a solenoid brake I38 which, being connected in parallel with the motor, is released against the tension of a spring I39 when the motor is energized and applied by the spring when the motor is deenergized so as to instantly check the momentum of the latter, by a branch lead I4I with one of a set of contact brushes I42 which are mounted on an insulating block I43 carried by the bracket 81 and bear against contact segments I44 on a commutator I46 fixed for rotation with the turret shaft 44, by a branch lead I41 with the amplifier 19, and, directly, with the projector lamp I48 contained in the lamp house 12. There are, on the commutator I46, eight sets of contact segments I44, one set being provided for each of the projectors carried by the turret and four contact segments of each set carry high voltage current while the remaining two contact segments carry low voltage current for a control circuit. A jumper lead I49 conducts current from the contact segment, with which the lead I 4I is in engagement, to another of the high voltage contacts and a lead I5I conducts this current to the projector motor 69.

The second supply lead I29 connects directly with the primary coil of the transformer I33 and, by a lead I52, with a conductor I53 which connects with one switch contact I22 of each of the eight solenoid switches 98. A continuation of the conductor I53 runs to one contact of a relay I54 whose function will be presently described and which is held normally open by means of a spring I55. Each of the other contacts I22 of the solenoid switches 98 are connected together by a lead I56, a continuation of which runs to the motor 96 and to the actuating coil I31 of the solenoid brake. From a contact of the relay I54 a lead I51 connects with the amplifier 19 and the projector lamp I48 and a branch lead. I58 runs to one of the contact brushes I42. A jumper lead I59 connects the contact segment, with which the brush connected to the lead I58 is in engagement, and another of the contact segments, and a lead I6I, terminating at one end at the projector motor 69, is connected to another of the brushes engaging the contact segment joined to the jumper lead I59.

The coin-operated selector switch 29 is provided with a low voltage input lead I62 which derives current from the secondary winding I63 of the transformer I33 and continuation leads I64 and I66 connect the transformer secondary winding, respectively, with one of a pair of contacts I61 which are closed by a contactor I68 when the solenoid brake is released, and with one of the low voltage brushes I42. The opposite end of the secondary winding of the transformer I33 is connected by a lead I69 with a conductor I1I which joins together one end of each actuating coil I04 of the solenoid switches 98. A continuation I12 of the conductor I1.I runs to one end of the actuating coil I13 of the relay I54 and the other end of the coil is connected by leads I14 and I16, respectively, with one of the low voltage brushes I42 and with a contact I61 of the switch operated by the solenoid brake. The pushbuttons of the selector switch operate, in a manner well known in the art, contacts which establish connection between the lead I62 and a selected one of the eight output terminals I11, depending upon which pushbutton is depressed, and a time delay device, which is also well known in the art and in the nature of a dashpot, maintains this connection during an interval of time sufiiciently long to the switch will open.

are connected by leads I19 with a limit switch generally indicated, in the wiring diagram, by the numeral I8I. This limit switch is shown in detail in Figures 12 to 14 inclusive and comprises a pair of resilient arms I82 and I83 mounted adjacent one end thereof on a fixed portion I84 of the projector casing 5| and insulated therefrom by a block of insulating material I86. As shown in Figure 13 the normal position of the switch is open, the distal end of the arm I82 entering an aperture I81 provided in the film. As soon as the film starts to move the arm I82 will rise out of the aperture I81 and will bear against the surface of the film as is shown in Figure 12 thereby closing the switch and maintaining the latter in this condition during the time that it requires the aperture I81 and the film to complete one cycle through the projector whereupon when the aperture again comes into registry with the end of the arm I82 It will be noted in the wiring diagram that the limit switch above described and the switch I61I68, which is operated by release of the solenoid brake of the motor 96, are connected in parallel.

When a coin is deposited in the coin chute 29 and a selected pushbutton is depressed, current will flow from the transformer secondary I63 through the lead I62, through the contacts engaged by the depressed pushbutton, through one of the leads I18 to the coil I64 of the solenoid switch mounted on that projector which contains the visual and audible record desired to be viewed and heard, through the coil I64, and back to the transformer secondary via the leads HI and I69. Energization of the coil I64 has simultaneously closed the switch 'I2I-I22 and extended the end II1 of the armature from its normal retracted position toward the axis of the turret. As soon as the switch I2I--I22 has closed, current will flow from the lead I29 through the leads I52 and I53 across the closed contacts I22, through the lead I56, through the coil I31 of the solenoid brake, and the motor 96 and through the leads I36 and I34 back to the supply lead I28. This will simultaneously start the motor 96, release the solenoid brake so that the motor may rotate, and close the switch I61I68. As the motor rotates, the turret will be rotated moving the projector carrying the desired film selection toward the lamp house 12 and the casing containing the exciter lamp 18 and the photo-cell 82. As soon as this position is reached, the extended armature I 6| of the solenoid switch will come in contact with the sloping surface of a cam I88 formed at the end of an arm I89 secured in fixed relation to the bracket 31. Continued rotation of the turret to move the armature upwardly along the cam surface will cause the armature to be retracted, against the magnetic force tending to extend the armature, until the switch blade I2I is separated from the contacts I22 thereby opening the circuit to the motor 96, deenergizing the latter andthe coil of the solenoid brake and allowing the spring I39 to set the brake which will practically stop the motor instantaneously.

.. When the motor has stopped the projector will be positioned with its apertures H and 14 in correct alinement with the axes of the light beams from the projector lamp and the exciter lamp respectively.

While the motor 96 was running, to index the turret, the switch I61I68 was closed. This permitted current to flow from the transformer secondary I63 through the lead I64 the closed switch, the lead I'IB, the coil I13 of the relay I54, and back to the secondary winding via the leads I12, Ill and I69. Establishment of this circuit closed the contacts of the relay I54 allowing high voltage current to flow from the lead I 53 through the closed contacts, through the lead I5'I to energize the amplifier I9 and the projector lamp I48 and back to the supply lead I28. The exciter lamp becomes energized when the amplifier is energized. When the turret is indexed to its correct position, the group of contact segments I44, associated with the projector selected, will be in contact with each of the brushes I42 thereby establishing circuit through the lead I58, the

jumper lead I59 and the lead I6I to the projector affect the relay I54 which will remain closed until the limit switch I8I opens after the film has completed its cycle. When the relay I54 opens the amplifier and the projection lamp and motor will be each deenergized. Should it be desired, after the completion of a selection, to repeat the performance of the same selection, a coin may be deposited in the coin chute and, by depressing a pushbutton I9I, the contacts I 61 may be manually short circuited thereby reclosing the relay I54 and energizing the amplifier, the projection motor 69 and the projection lamp I48 for an additional cycle of operation. The provision of the repeat button is essential since it is impossible to repeat a selection by manipulation of the selector switch since the solenoid switch on the selected projector is held open by the cam I88. I

From the foregoing description of our invention, it will be seen that we have provided an improved and simplified structure over that disclosed in our prior application, that the arrangement of the parts is such that a maximum number of projectors are included in the mechanism without rendering the size of the device prohibitive, that the operation of the device may be so readily understood that it does not require the services of highly skilled help in its maintenance, and that the device is so ruggedly constructed that it will enjoy a long, useful and trouble-free life.

We claim:

1. An amusement apparatus comprising a pair of spaced brackets, a shaft journaled in said brackets, a cylindrical turret secured to and rotatable with said shaft, worm teeth in the periphery of and adjacent one end of said turret, a worm journaled on one of said brackets and meshing with the worm teeth of said turret, an electric motor carried by one of said brackets and operatively connected to rotate said worm, a plurality rategroups of electrical contacts associated with each projector and movable, upon movement of said turret, into contact with said contact fingers.

2. An amusement device comprising a pair of spaced, rearwardly inclined, brackets, a shaft journaled in said brackets, a cylindrical turret fixed to and rotatable with said shaft, worm teeth in and adjacent one end of said turret, a worm journaled for rotation on one of said brackets and meshing with said turret worm teeth, an electric motor mounted in said cabinet and connected to rotate said worm and turret, a light source carried by one of said brackets and positioned to project light to a predetermined location, a casing carried by the other of said brackets and provided with a pair of chambers one of which contains a lamp adapted to project a condensed beam of light rays and the other of which contains a photo-electric device, a plurality of motion picture projectors mounted on said turret, each of said projectors comprising a casing having therein mechanism for moving a motion picture film having a sound record thereon, means to move the sound record of said film through said condensed light beam, means to direct the light beam modulated by said sound record into said photoelectric device, and a projection lens for projecting rays from said light source after passing through said film onto the screen, said projectors being adapted to move, upon rotation of said turret, between said spaced brackets and into registry, successively, with said light source, said lamp and said photo-electric device, means for preselectively stopping the rotation of said turret to position a selected one of said projectors in registry with the aforesaid elements, and means to translate said modulated light beam into audible sound.

3. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotatable turret provided with a plurality of radiating'supports, a plurality of film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support, so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a motor for rotating said turret, and selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motordisabling means carried by each support and operable by engagement with said fixed member during rotation of the turret to stop the motor in such manner as to place the projector of a preselector projecting unit in register with said lamp and said screen.

4. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotatable turret provided with a plurality of radiating supports, a plurality of film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support, so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a

motor for rotating said turret, a plurality of independently operable selector devices controlling said motor, there being one selector device for each projector unit and mounted upon a support of said turret, and means for selectively operating any pre-selected selector device to start the motor, each selector device including independently operable selective motor-disabling means operable by engagement with said fixed member during rotation of the turret in such manner as to present a pre-selected projecting unit to a position with its projector in register with said lamp and said screen. I

5. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabi- 5 net provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotatable turret provided with a plurality of radiating supports, a plurality oi film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one 10 unit for each support, so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a motor for rotating said turret, a plurality of motor controlling switches, one on each support, and each 15 having means for controlling the motor circuit, and also including an independently operable selective motor disabling means, there being one switch for each projector unit, and selective means for energizing any pre-selected switch and simul- 20 taneously setting said motor-disabling means,

said motor-disabling means being ioperable by engagement with said fixed memberiuring rotation of the turret to stop the motor inisuch manner as to place a pre-selector projecting unit with its 25 projector in register with the lamp and the screen.

6. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotftable turret provided with a plurality of radiat- 80 1118 supports, a plurality of film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support, so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a motor 35 for rotating said turret, a plurality of solenoid switches, one for each projecting unit and each mounted upon and movable with a radiating support, each switch having an independently operable motor-disabling projection, each switch hav- 40 in: selectively operable means for controlling the motor circuit, and selective means for energizing any pro-selector solenoid switch in such manner as to cause the disabling projection thereof to extend to a position to eng e said fixed member,

during rotation of the turret, said disabling projections being independently operable by engagement thereof with the fixed member during rotation oi the turret so as to stop the motor in a manner to place a pre-selected projecting unit with its projector in register with the lamp and with said screen. 7. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet having a picture screen. a pedestal within the cabinet having oppositely disposed bearing brackets, a turn table journaled between said brackets and having a plurality oi equally spaced radiating supports, a plurality of independently operable film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively between the lamp and the screen. a motor for rotating the turret. selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor-disabling means each carried by a support or the turret, and a fixed cam supported by oneof said brackets, said motor-disabling means being operable by engagement with said cam during rotation of the turret so as to stop the motor in such manner as to place a pre-selected projecting unit with its projector in register with said lamp and with said screen.

8. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotatable turret provided with a plurality of radially disposed supports, a plurality of film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a motor for rotating said turret, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor-disabling means carried by each support and operable by engagement with said fixed member during rotation of the turret so as to stop the motor in a manner to place a pro-selector projecting unit with its projector in register with said lamp and with said screen, a selector switch includ ng a plurality of fixed members each controlling the operation of a picture projecting unit and also including a complementaL movable member secured to and rotative with said turn table, the last mentioned selector switch having means for selectively operating a pre selected projecting unit for a limited time after said unit has been stopped in its pro-selected position. i

9. An amusement apparatus comprising a cabinet provided with a picture screen, a fixed lamp adapted to project its beam to said screen, a rotatable turret provided with a plurality of radially disposed supports, a plurality of film projecting units secured to the respective supports, there being one unit for each support so positioned that during rotation of the turret said units will travel successively past said lamp, a fixed member, a motor for rotating said turret, selective control means for said motor, said control means including independently operable selective motor-disabling means carried by each support and operable by engagement with said fixedmember during rotation oi the turret so as to stop the motor in a manner to place a pre-selected projecting 60 unit with its projector in register with said lamp and with said screen, a selector switch including a plurality of fixed members each controlling the operation of a picture projecting unit and also including a complemental movable member secured to and rotative with said turn table, the last mentioned selector switch having means for selectively operating a pre-selected projecting unit for a limited time after said unit has been stopped in its pre-selected position, and means controlled by 00 the operation of the projector for stopping the same at the end of its operating cycle.

JOHN H. McMAHON. ARTHUR W. mum. 

